 Limited capacity: because the cost per bit of storage is high.

 Volatile: The data stored in it is lost when the electric power is turned
off.

 Used in a computer system to overcome the limitations of primary

storage.
 Has virtually unlimited capacity because the cost per bit of storage is
very low.
 Has an operating speed far slower than that of the primary storage.
 Used to store large volumes of data on a permanent basis
 Also Known as auxiliary memory
Software
 Hardware refers to the physical devices of the computer.
 Software refers to the collection of programs.
 Program is a sequence of instructions written in a language that can
understood / read by computer.
 Software Package is a group of programs that solve a specific
problem or perform a specific type of job.

Relationship between Hardware and

Software
 Both Hardware and Software are necessary for a computer to do
useful job. They are complementary for each other.
 Some hardware can be loaded with different software to make a
computer system perform different type of jobs.
 Except for upgrades, hardware is normally a one-time expense,
whereas software is a continuing expense.
 Upgrades refers to renewing or changing components like increasing
main memory, or hard disk capacities, or adding speakers modems
etc.
 Types of Software
Most software can be divided into two major categories

 System Software are designed to control the operation and extend

the processing capability of a computer system.
 Application Software are designed to solve a specific problem or to
do a specific task.

 Make the operation of a computer system more effective and

efficient.
 Help hardware components work together and provide support for the
development and execution of application software.
 Programs included in a system software package are called system
programs and programmers who prepare them are called system
programmers
 Examples of system software are operating systems, programming
language translators, utility programs, and communications software.

 Solve a specific problem or d a specific task.

 Programs included in an application software package are called
application programs and the programmers who prepare them are
called application programmers
 Examples of application software are word processing, inventory
management, preparation of tax returns, banking, etc.
Relationship among hardware, software, system software, application
software, and user of a computer system.